Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

MONTREAL Jewish holidays almost brought activities on ^ Filmrow to a halt. Many staff members observed the occasion, and for the same reason visiting exhibitors were also scarce. Among those who dropped in on Filmrow offices were E. Beaumont, proprieter of the Cinema, Levis, and Mr. and Mrs. Chouinard of the Princess and Imperial theatres, Quebec City . . . Molly Foreman, manager in Montreal for Alliance Films, visited her family in Toronto over the weekend . . . The Bijou, new northend theatre, is giving away tableware. Gabrielle Roy of Montreal, author of "The Tin Flute,” which after a best-seller success will be filmed in Hollywood, recently married Dr. Marcel Carbotte of St. Boniface, Man., and will honeymoon in Europe. The principal role in her picture will be taken by a young Swedish actress, Marta Toren, who will play the heroine. Moody Bible Institute’s religious film, "God of Creation," was exhibited in the open air at Verdun . . . The Montreal Standard editorially denounced Premiere Maurice Duplessis for instituting censorship over 16mm films, saying the next step will be to force everyone making private films to submit them to the board for clearance. No longer motion picture actresses themselves, the Dionne quintuplets have developed into enthusiastic film fans. Recently they journeyed from Callander to North Bay to witness a special screening of "Cynthia.” At home, the quints have their own motion picture projector, and frequently give exhibitions for their family and friends. The Laval Theatre has adopted a policy of showing only French language films, imported by La Compagnie France Film . . . Canada’s National Film board will produce a motion picture for United Nations dealing with the surface of the world . . . Since the filming recently of “Northwest Stampede” in Calgary, that city is credited with an ambition to become the Hollywood of western Canada. Bob Johnson of Eagle Lion reports that high army and air force officers will appear on the stage of the Kent Theatre during the showing there of "Theirs Is the Glory.” September 20 was the anniversary of the Alberta Gloom Heavy As Rain Holds Crops CALGARY— Back from road trips north and south, extending through the Crow’s Nest Pass, Maurice Saifer of Warners reports that during the latter part of his threeweek trip he encountered many gloomy and pessimistic exhibitors. This was wholly due to the reduced crop outlook in their territory. After a most promising spring and summer, the fall season opened with warm sunshine, enabling some southern spots to harvest their grain. But ':he great majority of crops have been caught and delayed by rains and are threatened with deterioration. Saifer is hoping for a brighter attitude on his next visit as Alberta is no longer wholly dependent upon grain crops. War years brought much mixed farming, hog production and dairying, providing enhanced incomes to farmers. Meantime, many of the newer exhibitors were reluctant to sign film contracts. The veterans, who have come through many seasons, are not so easily affected by the outlook. amazing battle of Arnhem, and to call attention to it over 20,000 leaflets advertising “Theirs Is the Glory” were dropped by airplane over Montreal. Montreal will see the new musical “Robert Burns” on its premiere tour of Canada. Local Scots also hope it will be filmed . . . The National Film Society of Canada is asking for $60,000 to promote its library and the production of educational films. The money is not being asked for current expenses but for capital purposes. Odeon Unit Nears Bow VANCOUVER — Odeon’s new 900-seater in West Vancouver is nearing completion. It will operate in competition with the Hollyburn, a 350-seater owned by Foto-Nite Theatres. Sign French Actor French character actor Curt Furberg has signed for a role in Warners’ “To the Victor.” TORONTO n large crowd of film golfers attended the St. Catharines tournament September 21 sponsored by the Niagara Theatre Managers Ass'n as a benefit feature for the local Variety Club fund to erect a vocational school for Ontario crippled children. A wide range of prizes were distributed. Featuring the event was the personal appearance of Margaret Marshall, the Miss Canada of 1947 and former cashier of the Toronto Victoria. Among the organizers were Roy Miller, Vern Hudson and Sid Burton, managers of St. Catharines theatres, and Wannie Tyers of the Capitol, Niagara Falls, and John Allen of the Tivoli, Thorold. Ron Hall, manager of the Gerrard here, has returned from a three-week vacation trip to Winnipeg . . . The Canadian motion picture golf championship tournament finally was scheduled for September 26, rain or shine, at the Rouge Hills Golf and Country club. Following the contests for the annual team and individual trophies, a rousing dinner in the clubhouse was on the program for the evening. Recent exhibitor visitors: Jack Gibson, who has taken over the management of the Academy, Lindsay; Menzo Craig who has the Palace at Ridgetown and the Majestic at Dresden; Jack Musclow, Capitol, Kitchener; John Allen of the Tivoli, Thorold, and Keith Wilson, Capitol at Brampton which is being rebuilt. I. H. Allen of Astral Films is particularly interested in football this season because he has secured Canadian distribution of “The Spirit of West Point,” which features Felix Blanchard and Glenn Davis, two famous gridiron stalwarts . . . O. J. Silverthorne, chief of the Ontario censor board, is back on the job following a bout with influenza. Eddie Goldsmith has returned here as booker for Allied Exhibitors, a group of independent houses, in succession to Mervin Goldstone, who recently stepped over to Selznick Releasing Organization . . . Joseph Bermac has been appointed salesman for Astor Pictures. Ted Gee, veteran doorman at Shea’s, has retired because of ill health, it is reported by Manager Fred Trebilcock. Known to many thousands of theatre patrons over the years. Gee is a charter member of the Famous Players 25-Year Club. Theatres in Lincoln, Neb., Face Stiff Tax on Seats From Midwest Edition LINCOLN, NEB. — Lincoln theatres went from the frying pan into the fire last week when the city council met to give the proposed 5 per cent theatre tax ordinance a second reading. The council amended the ordinance to eliminate the ticket tax anti substituted a seat tax, which will be a much more severe blow to the theatres if it is passed. 'The seat tax would be one cent per seat per day for seats up to 500, two cents for the next 500 and three cents for all over 1,000. The 1,800-seat Stuart would be paying a tax of $39 per day. Theatremen, who have been trying to get the council to change the ordinance to an occupation tax for all businesses, are considering the possibility of having to close down if the ordinance passes. Further action by the council was delayed until September 29 at the request of Walter Jancke, city manager for the Nebraska Theatre Corp., and Guy Chambers, the corporation’s legal counsel. OPENS WITH BENEFIT— More than $700 was realized for the Salvation Army at the opening of Ottawa’s newest suburban theatre, the Elmdale, an independent house pictured above. The attraction was Rank’s “Carnival,” which was given its North American prerelease premiere. Arthur Zumar is house manager. The Zumar family first contemplated erecting the theatre in 1939, but the project was shelved on account of the war. 104 BOXOFFICE :: September 27, 1947